Simpson led us out into the street and along it, saying as he walked, "Best we be away from there a goodly distance."

I nodded toward the displays in the shop windows. "From this end of the street, it seems."

"Aye, I was seein' that, m'Lady."

"Perhaps the one across the way that you had favoured, Simpson, the one with Godfrey's on its sign. I had also been attracted to that shop."

Two minutes later, we were greeted inside by a woman dressed in a subdued but elegant fashion, and she asked, "How might I assist you?"

I roamed my gaze over the items on display, then back to her attire. "From what I see, I think very well. We are in need of proper clothing." I examined again what she wore, then I glanced down at my own garb and that of Olivia. "Something more tasteful than are these."

She nodded, then tilted her head toward the men. "You appear to have been sent by the earl, but you are on the wrong side of the street." Then pointing, she continued, "Across and at the far end, you will find costume to suit his tastes."

"Oh, no. No, we have just arrived from that infernal place. From that hellish man. We seek to properly dress ourselves, not to be displayed for the lecherous."

She waved a hand around the room. "But none here is what the earl wants, nor would he pay for any of this."

I shook my head. "It appears you misinterpret our intentions, Madam. I know not the earl. We are sent by no one. We are here of our own volition."

"And these men?"

"Captain has provided guards for our protection."

"Captain? Of which ship?"

"Zeelandia. We arrived this morning."

She pursed her lips and nodded. "Aha! I see, he is selling your indentures here, and he wants you properly presented."

I shook my head. "No, again you misunderstand. I am the captain's betrothed, and this is my lady's maid. We are bound for New York to settle."

She clasped her cheeks, mouth opened wide. "Oh, dear! Oh dear, dear! Oh, how I misjudged. I am so sorry to have caused you grief. Indentured maidens are so common here, and I..." She paused and shook her head, her face flushing with colour.

"Fret not. I might have better introduced ourselves."

"I should not have assumed. But, the four men." She shook her head again. "Escorts, such as the earl sends, and I –"

"The earl?"

"Lord Vaughan, the Governor. He buys the indentures of the most attractive maidens and forces them into prostitution."

I winced. "Surely not. Surely, they have a choice."

She sighed. "Unfortunately, no. They must work for whoever holds the contract." Then after a shrug, she continued. "Upon arrival, their indentures are sold, and they are bound to work at whatsoever the new holder wishes."

"But to work as prostitutes? Surely they can choose to refuse that."

The woman shrugged again. "In accordance with the wording of the indenture, they have no choice. Most of these maidens can neither read nor write, and they place their witnessed mark in good faith, unknowing."

I winced. "In desperation to find a better life than in England."

"Precisely! And these innocents are the targets of deceit by those such as Lord Vaughan and Sir Henry."

I thought to the arrogant man at the ship. "Sir Henry?"

"Henry Morgan, Deputy to Governor Vaughan. There is debate as to which of the two is the most callous of the pimps in Port Royal."

"Surely, the maidens have recourse through the Court."

"The Law supports the pimps. The indentures are legal contracts, registered agreements which bind the maidens to work for the term specified."

"Oh, dear God. Bought and sold as if slaves."

"Indeed! Though they do gain their freedom when the term completes. Three, four, five years." She grimaced. "Unlike the slaves who are bound for life, and the life of their children, grandchildren and on and on."

"What horrid fate." I cringed at the thought, then after a pause, I shook my head and said, "But to the reason we are here. I wish to be clothed with subtle elegance. Attractive but not provocative. And for Olivia, clothing suitable to her position as my lady's maid."

"Yes, certainly. Again, I apologise for my hasty judgement. I am Mistress Godfrey, the proprietor. What might I call you?"

I paused, reflecting on her haughty attitude, then I said, "Lady Cavendish, though I do prefer Camille."

"Then I shall call you that, and you may call me Martha." She pointed to a doorway. "Come, we have much more in the other rooms."

As we entered, two young women looked up from their work at large bales on the floor. Beyond them lay many more bales, most still not opened. "These are my daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. And this is Lady Camille."

I smiled and nodded to each, then pointing to the bales, I asked, "What is all of this?"

"A portion of a shipment bound for Cartagena, bought yesterday, and we have just begun its sorting."

"Cartagena? Where is this?"

"South and west of here, along the Spanish Main." She stepped across to an opened bale and lifted a cloak from it. "Examine this. The Spanish cloths and crafting are far superior to what I know in England, and they show an elegance ours do not achieve." She chuckled. "If their fighting matched this superiority and finesse, we would capture none of their ships."